Burdwan, March 11: Squabbles in the state BJP came to the fore today when a panchayat leader was shot dead by a party colleague at Raipur village under Kalna police station this evening.

Officials said Tapan Ghosal, a member of the Krishnadebpur panchayat, went to the house of Harichand Mandal, a member of the same village body, and shot him. Ghosal came on a motorcycle with two of his associates around 6.30 pm. He called Mandal outside to discuss an “important party matter” and shot him the moment he stepped out.

With barely two months for the panchayat elections, the incident has embarrassed the state BJP leadership, which is yet to decide on a poll strategy. Senior BJP leader Muzaffar Khan condemned the incident and said he would take up the matter with key party functionaries.

CPM-Trinamul clash

Ten people were injured in a clash between CPM and Trinamul Congress supporters in a village under Namkhana police station in South 24Parganas this afternoon. The condition of two was said to be critical.